MACOMB, IL - Western Illinois men's basketball was defeated Friday night, falling 96–64 at Southern Indiana inside Liberty Arena.

The Screaming Eagles set the tone early, racing out to a 51–31 halftime lead behind efficient shooting and steady offensive pressure. Southern Indiana shot better than 50 percent from the floor in the first half, while Western Illinois struggled to keep pace offensively.

Isaiah Griffin paced the Leathernecks with 13 points, going 4-of-13 from the field and 4-of-6 at the free-throw line. Goanar Biliew followed with 10 points, while Makai Kvamme added nine. Francis Okwuosah and Tyran Cook each finished with eight points, with Cook providing a spark off the bench.

Western Illinois shot 36.7 percent from the field for the game and connected on three three-pointers. The Leathernecks scored 30 points in the paint and pulled down 29 rebounds but were unable to slow a Southern Indiana attack that finished the night shooting 52.2 percent overall and 46.4 percent from beyond the arc.

Cardell Bailey led all scorers with 22 points off the bench for Southern Indiana. Steven Clay added 16 points, and Tolu Samuels chipped in 14 as the Screaming Eagles had six players in double figures.

Southern Indiana outscored Western Illinois 45–33 in the second half to seal the result. The Leathernecks drop to 4–17 overall and 0–10 in Ohio Valley Conference play. 

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